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Oyo, Osun commissioners restate FCC’s commitment to avert lopsidedness
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) on Thursday restated its commitment to averting lopsidedness.
It was also stated that the FCC was established to promote , monitor and enforce strict compliance with the guiding principles and formulae designed to ensure proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government ditto for socio- economic amenities and infrastructural.
The Commission’s Commissioners representing Oyo and Osun states, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela and Barrister Abdulrazak Âdeoye said this during a courtesy visit to the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in Ibadan.
In their separate remarks, the federal commissioners said the Commission’s core aim was to avert lopsidedness, thus “the basis whereby when MDAs want to employ they come to us, we look at their list and we ensure compliance”.
They maintained that the FCC had successfully worked out equitable formulae for the distribution of all cadres of posts in the public services of the federation, state, local government and government owned companies, parastatals and agencies, adding that the commission was further mandated by the constitution to take legal measures against any individual, federal or state ministry, local government or government agency which fails to comply with the guiding principles and formulae prescribed or adopted by it.
According to Prof. Olowofela, the FCC was empowered to demand and receive returns on employment and socio-economic indices from any government enterprise or body, corporate and penalize any enterprise which does not comply with a request from the commission. The ex-Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and former council gaffer of Ido Local Government also disclosed that the commission has devises a committee system to effectively monitor the implementation of its guidelines and formulae for the distribution of posts and socio-economic amenities amongst the federating units.
“We were created to avert lopsidedness. There is virtually no agency that wants to give people job that will not invite us at the FCC. The basis for inviting us is to ensure that the principle is followed. By and large, the commission is hopeful that whenever fresh recruitments are being made in your establishment, you would inform us accordingly for the statutory monitoring of the recruitment exercise. The monitoring exercise would give ample opportunities to candidates, especially those from under represented LGAs to fill their vacant slots, there by reducing whatever imbalances that may exist in the distribution of posts in your Broadcasting Corporation”, he said.
Olowofela, however solicited for the corporation’s support and cooperation for the implementation of the FCC principles so as to collectively achieve a strong, united and economically formidable state and nation of our dream.
Also commenting, the FCC Commissioner representing Osun state, Barrister Adeoye maintained that the FCC was a creation of the Military’s Decree 34 of 1996 following the yearnings of the people for correction of imbalances in the distribution of posts in the public services of the federation as well as Social and Economic facilities.
Adeoye informed that the commission was one of the fourteen independent federal executive bodies established by section 153 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. He stressed that its composition, functions and powers are as prescribed by the constitution and amplified by the Federal Character Commission Act Cap F7 LFN 2004.
“It is important to state that this particular commission was established with the aim of making this executive body independent, and answerable only to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he emphasized.
Speaking further, Barrister Adeoye noted that the Southwest have always been having misdemeanor lopsidedness. He explained that there are parameters which the FCC has set for every state of the federation, urging the region to take active steps whenever there is any recruitment exercise (s)
The Osun FCC Commissioner harped on the need for the people of Southwest to be sensitized, advising them to report any imbalance to the states’ representatives.
Responding, Mr Dotun Oyelade , the Executive Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) who was represented by its General Manager, Mr. Tunde Ajayi assured the FCC of the corporation’s support.
” For us at BCOS, we have the consciousness that will need to uphold the unity of Nigeria”, he added.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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